Page 437 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DIS TRIBUTION Eastern Asia, including Japan and parts of Southeast Asia
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
HABIT A T Deciduous and coniferous woodlands
HABITAT
HABITAT
HOST PLANTS
HOST PLANTS S Elm (Ulmus spp.), poplar (Populus spp.), and willow (Salix spp.)
T PLANT
HOS

NO
TE
NOTE Well-camou aged caterpillar that is often found on urban trees
NOTE
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERV A TION S T A TUS Not evaluated, but generally common
ADULT WINGSPAN
2 ⁄ –3¼ in (56–82 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅜–3⅛ in (60–80 mm)
CALLAMBULYX TATARINOVII
ELM HAWKMOTH 435

(BREMER & GREY, 1853)

The eggs of the Elm Hawkmoth are oval and laid singly by
females during spring on the host plants. The caterpillars
develop slowly but usually mature by between July and August,
protected by the camou age of their green coloration, which

perfectly matches the host plant greenery. There may be a single
generation or two generations during the spring to fall period,
depending on temperature. Mature caterpillars are often found The Elm Hawkmoth caterpillar is light green,
wandering on the ground looking for a suitable place to build with a distinct, narrow, cream dorsal line and
alternate bold and faint, oblique lateral stripes.
an earthen cell for pupation. The bold lateral stripes may be yellow or white,
bordered with red. The horn is almost straight
and reddish. The entire body is punctuated with
The mahogany-brown pupae overwinter, and adults emerge in many yellow spots.
late summer, ying, egg laying, and feeding by night. The Elm

Hawkmoth comprises a number of subspecies through its
geographic range, with some populations distinctly smaller in
size. Little is known of the natural enemies of Callambulyx
tatarinovii, and very few caterpillars collected for rearing have
proven to be parasitized. The eggs and mature larvae of
C. tatarinovii closely resemble those of the Eyed Hawkmoth
(Smerinthus ocellata).

Actual size